Motoh car



Feb.) 15,1927.

' H. E; CROSS Moron an Original Filed Nov. 29, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 4 115.16549 H..E. cRoss ,uowon on Feb. 15, 1927.

origin-a1 Filed Nov. 9. 1919 4 Shuts-Shoat z H. E. CROSS uo'ron on I Original Filed Nov. 29, 1919 4 Shee'tls-Sheat 4 Reissued Feb. 15, 1927,

UNITED STATES Rte-16,549

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY E. CBQSS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOBATO CROSS MOTOR CORPORA- TION, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Moron can.

Original No. 1,484,474, dated February 19, 1924, Serial No. 341,493, filed November 29, 1919. Application for reissue filed November 21, 1924. Serial No. 751,408.

"This invention pertaining in general to motor vehicles. has more particular reference to those of the pleasure car type as distinguished from trucks and other essentially commercial vehicles.

It is proposed by this invention to fill the demand in the pleasure car field,for a car considerably lighter than the recognized standard light car, but of the same wheel gage and substantially the same wheel base thereof, and which shall have excellent riding'qualities and be especiallyeconomical to maintain and operate. That is, this invention contemplates a car of about one-half the weight of the ordinary light car now on the market and yet one not 'of the character of the so-called freak cars having narrow. gage and other undesirable features, making them unsafe to operate over country roads .20 orany rough roads and uncomfortable to ride'in.

The small car builder-has heretofore followed regular and standardized automobile construction and design, which is inimical to the production of a practical car of the light weight contemplated by this invention; .while on the other hand, very light motor vehicles have been produced and marketed, either of the buck-board or narrow gage :0 cycle type. It is the aim of the present invention to provide a car different and dis tin 'uished from either of these types, that is, materially lighter than the ordinary light car, and yet possessing none of the disadvantages and undesirable features of the buckboard and narrow gage cars.

These general objects are obtained by the' coordination of various novel features of construction and arrangement.' Primarily,

4 I employ a unique frameconstruc-tion char- ,acterized by its: tubular formation and support of the motor unit close to the rear end of the vehicle and low down. In other words, I support the motor on a sub-frame,

preferably of tubular construction, so as to bring the center of gravity quite low and also to eliminate, by proximity of the motor to the rear axle, considerable driving parts and weight necessitated by placing the motor at the front of the vehicle. .This arrangement and the tubular frame structure permit of exceptional lightness, and at the same spectively of the vehicle;

time enhance rather than detract from good riding qualities and, safety, as will be appreciated hereinafter.

As further promoting lightness, safety .and comfort, .I have arranged the drivers and occupants seat and foot compartment in front of the motor and relatively low, flooring of the foot compartment being substantially below the main frame, with the seat in proximity to the level of the frame and preferably slightly above the same. This further lowers the center of gravity, with the attendant advantages in a vehicle of this kind, and also enables a natural and convenient sitting posture. And by extending the control compartment forwardly well under thev front hood (which is. utilized mainly to cover this compartment ;and inclose the steering apparatus) ample room is provided for control levers, permitting free and easy operation thereof.

My invention. also contemplates special provision for cooling the motor, which in the Keeping with the general plan of light weight,*is preferably, but not necessarily, air-cooled. I have, therefore, so shaped the bottom of the car as to provide an air channel, whereby a current of air will be induced, especially while the car is in motion,

to the cylinder unit and the rear driving axle,and arrangement of springs. g

V ther objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the fol lowing description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1, is a side elevation of a motor vehicle embod ing my improvements;

Fig. 2, a p an view of the vehicle with the rear hood removed;

Figs. 3 and 4, front and rear views re- Fig. 5, a longitudinal sectional view through the car; and

Figs. 6 and 7 sectional views takensubstant'ia lly on the lines 6'6 and $24 'res'pectively of Fig. 5. Y

In order to securea better understanding of the present invention and .an appreciation of the advantages thereof, it should be borne in mind that .I am not following what is recognized today as standard] automobile construction, as regards both design and arrangement of parts. i This does not mean, however, that all of the parts per se are ofnovelfconstruction, since I employ a motor and transmission unit of any suitable con struction, in keeping with the invention; and the steering and driving wheels, thelr axles and ap urtenant parts, including the .steering mec anism and differential and that I have other parts of like. import, may be of suitable construction.

It will be noted viewing Figs. 1 and 2,

provided a motor carhaving standard wheel gage and relatively long wheel base considerlng the size and weight of the car, also that the frame is 'comparatively narrow and designed preferably to features of a motor-cyc e and side car, es-

' ties and. safety.

accommodate two people sitting abreast. In this regard, it might be mentioned that I contemplate meeting the demand for a twopassenger car, such as prevails for a motorcycle with side car attached. That is,the cost of operation of a car such as rovided .er'ein, -is substantially the same, ut with one of the disadvanta es and undesirable pecially as regards appearance,'riding quali- For purpose'of lightness, strength and durability, I employ a main frame of tubular construction, and also a "tubular sub-frame for supporting a motor and transmission unit at the rear end of the main frame and substantially belowthesame. The-purpose of this arrangement is to secure low center of gravity, to, position the motor -and transmissionunit m close proximityto the rear axle soas to obtain substantially direct driving and minimum number of parts and to reduceweight, and

yet obtain, by location of the motor unit,

adequate wei ht to insure proper traction of the rear whee s, and for other reasons which erall by character 11,

.will be'appreciated b those familiar with this art. The main rame designated genis formed of-longitu dina aside members 12 joined by front and rear cross members 13 and 14, respectively.

This relatively long, narrow rectangular frame is supported. at its front end by steering wheels 15' through the agency of an axle 16 and'springs 17 and at its rear end by driving wheels 18 through meansof an axle housin 19 and springs dwi ated generally by c aracter 21. The w eels, axles and housing maybe of any suitable construction, but the spring arrangement is particularly. novel and advantageous. The front springs 117*.ar'e.(quarter-elliptic leaf character 32, is of an air-coole' springs rigidly attached by means of U-bolts 22 to the frame members 12, at the rear of wardly of the frame member 14.. and that the springs 21 are inclined rearwardly. By

reason of this. wide span rear sprin 'arrangement and of the rearwardly inc ined arrangement of the rear sprin s, exceptional ridi'ng qualities are obtained, ecause maximum flexibility is aflorded; and special provision is ,made for this in the arrangement of the driving connection between the motor and differential. Radius rods 26 connected with the outer ends of the axle housin and at their forward ends with the main rame through the agency of front and rear s ring seats 27, as shown in Fig. 1,-ser've-to race and hold in alignment t e rear axle housing and also permit of the desired flexibility by reason of the spring cushion connections 27.

In view of the relatively long reach of the frame 11 and of the tubular construction, I have provided a truss rod 28 below each side member 12, connected at its forward and rear ends to parts29 and 31 respectively, which are secured to the members 12 in close proximity to the springs 17 y and 21.-

It will thus be seen that the unsupported part ofthe frame between the springs 17 i and 21' is substantially reinforced by, thetruss rods 28 so as to adeqluately carry the y' stress and strains incidenta to usage.

The motor unit, designated enerally type, lllHS- tr'ated diagrammatically in the present drawings, because any suitable motor might be employed. It is also preferredthat the tranmission, designated generally by reference character 33, shall be so-associated with the motor as to constitute therewith a unit adapted to be supported by the sub-frame mentioned above, substantially; below the main frame. The sub-frame in the present instance, consists of front and rear upright tubular members 34.- and 35 attached at their upper ends to. each side member 12 and inclined downwardly and inwardly and supporting at their lower ends, a longitudinal frame member 36. These sub-frame members 36 are held in spaced relation by means of a front cross member 37, which in turn-is braced medially by a forwardly and upward ly incljinedmember 38 attached at its upper .ing ample room for the arrangement of end to the cross member 39 joining the side members 12 medially of the main frame; The

motor unit 3:2 interposed between the submeans of connections 41, also serves to unite into a rigid structure the underhung subframe members. T he driven member 42 of the change speed transmission is connected by means of a sprocket chain l3 to a s rocket wheel on the driving member of the differential mechanism within the casing 44, the construction of the differential mechanism not being shown, because such devices are well known in the art. A thrust rod or arm fixedlyunited to the differential casing -14 and pivotally connected at 46 to a part fixed with respect to the sub-frame, serves "not only as a radius rod for maintaining the these parts.

Coming now to the structural features of the body which co-operate with the design and arrangement of the frame and motor, it will be observed, viewing Figs. 1 and 5,

gravity and utilized the space 'in front of the motor to effect the best riding qualities obtainable in a car of such light weight,

and furthermore, to make for comfort and convenience of the occupants. To this end,

' the occupants compartment, designated'g'enerally by character 47, is disposed in front of the motor, with the seat preferably slightly above the horizontal plane of the main frame and the flooring 48 of the foot compartment substantially below said plane. This low compartment extends forward, givoot controls in such position that they may be operated with as much ease and alacrity as in any of the larger cars. That is, in the larger cars the drivers seat is substantially above the floor of the control compartment (which is level with the main frame), so that the driver, in a natural and comfortable sitting posture, may operate the control in free and easy fashiong' whereas in those cars having a low center of g avity, such as buckboards and the like, in which the flooring is level with the plane of the main frame, a very unnatural sitting posture is imposed, by reason of the foot' controls being level with the seat. The low centenof gravity resulting from the present arrangement of the occupants and control compartment and of the motor,.is important, especially in View frame members 36 and mounted thereon by that I have further lowered the center of' of the standard wheel gage and base and the lightness afforded by reason of the novel features disclosed herein. At this time, it

will be observed that the foregoing arrangement permits of a pleasing streamline body, in which the space is utilized'to the best advantage. The lines of the front and rear hoods l9 and 51 may be substantially identical, although this is not essential since the front hood serves to enclose the control and foot compartment and the steering mechanism. and the rear hood the motor-transn'iis sion unit. Within the control compartment, I arrange a suitable hand lever 52 for changing speeds, the lever being suitably connected with the change speed transmission 32 which preferably provides three speeds forward and one reverse. Brake and clutch foot levers are also located in said compartment. It will be evident that any suitable control might. be employed, according to the type of transmission.

As mentioned-above, a feature contributing to light weight, is the use of an aircooled motor. And because of the position of the motor and the underhung control compartment, which obstructs free air passage to the motor, I have'made special provision for insuring an adequate air supply. This is done by shaping the bottom of the body to facilitate and ll'lClLlCB' an air current to the motor head. Accordingly, the bottom casing 54 of the under body provides a channel 55, 5, extending upwardly and rear.- wardly from'the floor of the foot compartment substantially to the top of the motor 'head, and preferably of a concave shape in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 7. When the car is idling, thefan 56 creates an air current for cooling the engine, and when the car is in motion the volume and velocity of 7 this current is materially increased by the air beneath the car being drawn upwardly, not only by the fan but also by reason of the inclined channel bottom 55. The air passage is further facilitated by the pro ,vision of a perforated back 57 to the hood 51, and the fuel tank 58 is shaped on its under side, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, so, that it may be positioned low in a suitable location and yet not interfere with the air passage.

From the foregoing, it will be manifest that a distinctly novel motor ear is pro-' duced; and by reason of the relative arrangementand design of parts, \I obtain better riding androad qualities and ego nomies in maintenance and operation than are obtainable with standard light cars of to-j day of approximately twice the weight of the present car. v

-It should be expressly understood that the present application discloses but a single embodiment of my invention and that the drawings are in many respects diagrammatic consequently, it will be apparent that in put-ting my invention into practice many changes may be made in the design, construction, proportions, and arrangement of the parts. As an illustration, it is not essential to employ a tubular frame, the particular spring support disclosed, an air cooled motor, standard tread wheels, the particular drive for the rear wheels, etc. The apnded claims are intended, therefore, to dene the invention in the broadest scope commensurate with i the prior art.

I claim: I 1. "In a motor vehicle, the combination of a main frame supported by front steering wheels and rear driving wheels, an op erators seat supported in an intermediate and relatively low position on said frame, a motor rigidly mounted in an underhung position on said frame between the operators seat and the driving wheels and adapted for drivin the latter, and an operators control and ot compartment, the floor of which is substantially below the main frame. 2. In a motor vehicle of the character described, a frame supported -at its front end by steering wheels and at'its rear end by driving wheels, a drivers seat substantially midway between the ends of the car 39 and in proximity to the horizontal plane ers seat including longitudinally textende of the frame, a foot and control compartment in front of the drivers seat, the flooring of which is substantially below said plane, a sub-frame at the rear of the driving members spaced substantially below said plane, a motor and transmission unit attached to said longitudinal members oftlie sub-frame and supported by the latter with the transmission unit relatively close to the rear axle, and a flexible driving connection between said transmission unit and rear axle.

- 3. In a motor vehicle of the character described, a frame supported at its'front end by steering wheels I and at its rear end'by driving wheels,

a drivers seat supported by and intermediate the ends of the franie, a' sub-frame at the rear of the drivers seat including longitudinally bers attached to each longitudina member 6f the main frame and extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom and a longitudi nal member attached to the lower ends of said upright members at each side of the frame, a motor unit interposed between and mounted on said longitudinal members of the sub-frame so as to be supported there'- by substantially below the main frame, and a drivingconnection between the motor and the riving wheels.

h 4. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a frame' supported by front steering wheels and rear driving wheels, a motor unit .car-

ried by the frame near the rear end there a of and with its crank axis substantially erators seat medially between the en of, afoot and control compartment in front spaced upright memism 4a below the frame, a. drivers compartment and seat in front of the motor unit, the

bottom of such compartment being substan-' tially below said frame and the rear continuation of said'bottom being incllned upwardly and rearwardly beneath the seat into proximity to the top of the motor unit,

a frame supported by front steering wheels,

and rear driving wheels, amotor unit carried by the frame near the rear end thereof and with its crankaxis substantially below the a drivers compartment and seat in frame, front of, the motor unit, the bottom of such compartment being substantially below'said 'frameand the rear continuation of said bottom inclined upwardly and rearwardly beneath the seat into proximity to the top of the motor unit, and inclined upwardly and inwardly from the outen sides,

form an air channel for inducing an upward current of air to the cylinder head when the car is in motion.

6. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a frame supported by front steering wheels and rear driving wheels, a motor unit carried by the frame near the rear end thereof and with its crank axis substantially below the frame, a drivers compartment and seat in front of. the motor unitfthe bottom of such compartment being substantially below said frame and the rear continuation of said whereby to bottom being inclined upwardly and rearwardly beneath the seat into proximity to the top of the motor unit, whereby to form-an air channel allowing free passage of air up wardly to the. cylinder head, and a perforated rear-hood overlying the motor unit. a

7. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a frame supported at its front end by steering wheels and at its rear end by driving wheels,

spring supports between said wheels and the an opframe, a body on the frame providin s thereof said seat substantially below said frame,

an underhung frame portion rigid with re spect to themain frame and disptised be' tweensaid seat and the driving wheels, a motor rigidly mounted on-said underhung frame portion, and a drivin connection between the motor and rear w eels permitting vertical movement of the frame. a

8. In amotor including an ,operators seat at a medialpothe latter with respect to vehicle, the combination' of I a wheel-supported frame, a body structure I l sition on the frame, an upright, motor mount ed at arelatively low position on the frame- I at the rear of the operators seat, said structure providing an air channel hence the operators seat leading to thej motor;

and having operators seat and a control compartment in head, and means i of air through said passage and past the momeans for inducing a current of air rearwardly through said channel for cooling the motor.

9. Ina motor vehicle, the combination of a frame supported by front and rear wheels,

a motor mounted at a relatively low position on said frame adjacent to the rear wheels driving connection therewith, an

front of said motor, means beneath said seat defining an upwardly and rearwardly inclined air channel, and a fan driven by the motor and disposed at the rear portion of said channel for drawing the air rearwardly therethrough. I

10. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a frame supported by front steering wheels and rear driving wheels, a motor underhung on the rear portion of said frame, an operators seat forward of the motor, an operators foot compartment in front of said seat and below the frame, and means permitting a flow of air upwardly and rearwardly to the upper portion of the motor.

11. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a wheel-supported frame, an underhung motor supported upon and at the rear portion of the frame, an operators seat in front of the motor and in a low position on the frame, and a foot and control compartment in front of the seat and substantially below the frame.

a wheel-supported frame, an upright motor on the rear portion of said frame, a seat-supporting body in front ofthe motor, means providing a rearwardly and upwardly in clined air channel beneath said seat-support.-

ing body for, inducing a flow of air to said motor, and means for artificially stimulating saidflow of air for forcing it rearwardly past the motor.

13-. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a wheel-supported frame, an upright motor 'mounted in the rear part of the frame and having a driving connection with the rear wheels, a body on the frame providing a driversseat .in front of the motor and an air passage under the seat leading to the motor for producing a forced fiow tor for cooling 1t.

main frame supported by front steering wheels and rear driving Wheels, a drivers seat mediall on the frame, an upright motor mounted in the rear partof the frame between the rear axle and said seat and having a driving connection with the rear axle, and means for ,drawing air from under said seat and forcing it rearwardly past the motor.

15. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a frame supported by front steering wheels and rear driving wheels, an upright motor mounted in the rear part of the frame and 12. In a motor vehicle, the combination of 14. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a

having a driving connection with the rear wheels, :1 body on the frame providing a seat in front of the motor and an air passage leading upwardly thereto, and means to draw air from under the seat and force or draw it rearwardly past the motor. 1

16. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a wheel supported main frame, an upright motor and a transmission mounted in the rear part ofthe main frame withtthe transmission in driving connection with the rear wheels, a body on the frame providing a seat in front of the motor and a foot compartment in front of the seat and an air passage from the rear of said foot compartment extending upwardly and rearwardly into proximity to the motor head, and a motordriven fan in front of said motor head for drawing air upwardly through said passage and forcing it rearwardly past the motor.

17 A motor vehicle comprising, in combination, a main frame having side members joined by a front and a rear cross member, front steering wheels and rear driving wheels, axles for said wheels, a spring suspension between said axles and the main frame, a motor and a transmission mounted in the rear part of the frame in rigid relation thereto, a driving connection between the transmission and rear axle which will compensate for the spring action between the rear axle and main frame, and a body on the main frame providing a seat in front of the motor and a hood-covered foot compartment in front of the seat, the motor, seat and foot compartment occupying substantially the entire space between the front and rear cross-frame members.

18. A motor vehicle comprising, in combination, a main frame having side members joined by a front and a rear cross member, front steering wheels and rear. drivingwheels, axles for said wheels, a spring suspension between said axles and the main frame, a sub-frame in the rear part of the main frame rigid withrespect thereto, a motor and a transmission rigidly mounted on said sub-frame, a driving connection between the transmission and rear axle Wl'liChQWill compensate for the spring action between said axle and the main frame, and a body on the main frame providing a drivers seat in front of the motor in a relatively low position and a hood-covered foot compartment in front of the drivers seat, the floor of which compartment is below the main frame. the motor, drivers seat and the hood-cow ered compartment occupying substantially the entire space between the front and rear cross-frame members.

19. A motor vehicle comprising, in combination, a main frame, front steering wheels, rear drive wheels, spring supports, between said wheels and said frame, a motor mounted inan underhung position on the being in an upright position and havin crank shaft parallel with the side mem vertical vibration of sai rear end portion of the frame, said motor its rs of the frame, a; driving connection between the motor and rear axle which will compensate for the spring action between the rear axle and the main frame, and a body on said frame providing a drivers seat in front of the motor.

20. A motor vehicle comprisin in c0mbination, a main frame supported 'b front steering wheels and rear driving w eels, a motor mounted in a sub-frame on the main frame adjacent to the rear end thereof and having a comparatively short driving connection with thedrivin wheels permitting (f wheels with respectto the frame, and a. drivers seat and foot compartment on said frame occupying the space in front of the motor.

21. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a main frame", supported by I front steering wheels and rear driving wheels through the agency of spring supports, a motor and a transmission .underhung in therear part of the frame in rigid relation thereto, a driv ing connection between the transmission and rear axle rmitting vertical vibration of the latter witii respect to the frame, and a body on the frame providing a drivers seat in front of the motor and a hood-covered foot com partment in front of said seat with the floor substantially below the main frame.

v22. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a main frame, front steering wheels and rear driving wheels supporting said 7 frame,

a motor and a transmission mounted in the rear part of the frame in rigid relation thereto and having a flexible driving connection with the rear wheels, and a body on the frame providing a drivers seat in front of the motorin a relatively-low position and a hood-covered foot compartment in front of said seat reaching substantiall to the front of the frame with a floor for t e foot compartment substantially below the: main frame.

23. In a motor vehicle, front and rear driving wheels and axles therefor, a main frame, a spring suspension between said axles and operators seat supported at an intermediate position on the main frame, a motor and a transmission mounted on the main frame between the operators seat and the in combination,

the mam frame, an

rear axle, the driven member of the transmission being disposed at the rear of the motor'on a transverse axis, a housing and differential for the rear axle, a radius rod connecting each outer end"portion of the axle housing with the frame at a forward point thereon,- a driving chain connecting said driven member-of the transmission and the driving member of the differential, and a' I thrust-rod rigidly attached to the differential case and pivotally connected with respect to the'main frame to turn about an axis substantially coaxial with said. driven member of the transmission, said thrust-rod serving 70 as a radius rod for said chain and .to transmit the propelling thrust from the rear axle. HARRY E. CROSS. 

